10+ Best Writing Books for 3-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on a quest to find the perfect way to introduce the little ones to the joy of reading? Writing books for 3-year-olds can be a delightful challenge, as it's all about capturing their imagination with simplicity and fun. Whether you're a parent, teacher, or an aspiring writer, this blog will guide you through various lists of writing books for 3-year-olds that are sure to engage and entertain. Keep reading to discover how you can create magical reading moments for the toddlers in your life!

Fun Writing Books for 3-Year-Olds

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Educational
  • Synopsis: This vibrant book follows a caterpillar as it eats its way through a variety of foods before finally transforming into a beautiful butterfly.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines simple text with colorful illustrations, making it highly engaging for young readers. It also teaches counting, the days of the week, and the process of metamorphosis.
  • Perfect for: Young children who enjoy colorful stories and learning basic concepts.

• Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr., illustrated by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Rhyming Book
  • Synopsis: A big, happy frog, a plump purple cat, a handsome blue horse, and a soft yellow duck—all parade across the pages of this delightful book, asking each other what they see.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its rhythmic, repetitive text makes it easy for young listeners to join in and helps them learn to identify different animals and colors.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who are just beginning to learn how to identify colors and animals.

• Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Clement Hurd
  • Genre(s): Bedtime Story, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: In a great green room, tucked away in bed, is a little bunny. "Goodnight room, goodnight moon." And to all the familiar things in the softly lit room—to the picture of the three little bears sitting on chairs, to the clocks and his socks, to the mittens and the kittens, and everything one by one—the little bunny says goodnight.
  • Why we recommend this book: It features a calming rhythm and gentle illustrations, ideal for settling young children into bed.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy a soothing bedtime story.

• Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault, illustrated by Lois Ehlert
  • Genre(s): Alphabet Book, Rhyming Book
  • Synopsis: In this lively story, the letters of the alphabet race each other up the coconut tree. Will there be enough room? Oh no - Chicka Chicka Boom! Boom!
  • Why we recommend this book: Its rhythmic, playful text makes learning the alphabet fun and memorable for young readers.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers who are starting to learn the alphabet.

• We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Family
  • Synopsis: Join a family as they venture through swishy swashy grass, a splashy river, and thick oozy mud in search of a bear. What will they find inside the dark cave they discover?
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an interactive adventure that encourages participation through its repetitive and rhythmic phrases.
  • Perfect for: Young adventurers who enjoy acting out stories and exploring new imaginary places.

Educational Writing Books for 3-Year-Olds

• Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Rhyming Book
  • Synopsis: Sam-I-Am persistently follows his friend, trying to convince him to try green eggs and ham in various locations and with different companions.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Rhyming skills, persistence, trying new things
  • Why we recommend this book: It uses simple words and fun rhymes, making it an excellent tool for early reading and phonics.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are learning to read and enjoy playful, repetitive texts.

• If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff, illustrated by Felicia Bond
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Circular Tale
  • Synopsis: A boy gives a cookie to a mouse, setting off a chain of events where the mouse keeps asking for more things.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Cause and effect, sequencing, prediction
  • Why we recommend this book: It illustrates a humorous sequence of events that teaches children about consequences and predictions.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy stories with a cause-and-effect structure and whimsical illustrations.

• Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney, illustrated by Anita Jeram
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Bedtime Story
  • Synopsis: Little Nutbrown Hare shows his daddy how much he loves him: as far as he can reach and as high as he can hop. But Big Nutbrown Hare can reach farther and hop higher.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional expression, measuring physical and metaphorical size
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a heartwarming story that beautifully illustrates the boundless nature of love.
  • Perfect for: Young children and their parents to share a tender moment at bedtime.

• The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A young boy named Peter explores his neighborhood after the first snowfall of the season.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Observation skills, exploring new environments
  • Why we recommend this book: It captures the magic and boundless possibilities of a snowy day through the eyes of a child.
  • Perfect for: Children who delight in snow and exploring the outdoors.

• Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell
  • Genre(s): Lift-the-Flap Book, Animal Book
  • Synopsis: A child writes to the zoo asking them to send a pet. The zoo sends various animals that all prove unsuitable for different reasons, until they finally send the perfect pet.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Animal recognition, problem-solving
  • Why we recommend this book: It's interactive with flaps to lift on every page, which makes it engaging and fun for young readers.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who enjoy interactive reading and learning about different animals.

Challenging Writing Books for 3-Year-Olds

• Oh, The Places You'll Go! by Dr. Seuss
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Inspirational
  • Synopsis: This book encourages readers to explore the world and seize life's opportunities with both caution and courage.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces concepts of future and potential, which are advanced ideas for young minds.
  • Why we recommend this book: It inspires confidence and resilience, encouraging children to dream big and overcome obstacles.
  • Perfect for: Young dreamers and future achievers.

• The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Animal Story
  • Synopsis: This story follows the mischievous Peter Rabbit as he sneaks into Mr. McGregor's garden and faces consequences for his actions.
  • Why this book is challenging: It uses more complex sentences and a rich vocabulary that are not typically found in books for very young children.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches moral lessons about obedience and the repercussions of misbehavior through engaging, narrative storytelling.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy stories with animals and those learning about right and wrong.

• Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: A boy named Max dresses in a wolf suit, causes mischief, and is sent to bed without supper. His room transforms into a forest inhabited by ferocious creatures known as Wild Things.
  • Why this book is challenging: It explores themes of anger, imagination, and forgiveness, layered with metaphorical storytelling.
  • Why we recommend this book: It allows children to explore emotions and creativity, offering a safe space to understand complex feelings.
  • Perfect for: Imaginative kids who sometimes feel wild and untamed.

• Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Madeline is a brave, plucky girl living in a Paris boarding school. She undergoes an appendectomy and finds adventure even in the hospital.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces children to experiences like hospitalization and bravery in adversity with a sophisticated storytelling approach.
  • Why we recommend this book: It portrays courage and resilience through the adventures of a relatable young heroine.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy stories of adventure and overcoming challenges.

• The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: A mouse walks through the forest and uses clever tricks to evade danger by inventing a monster called the Gruffalo, only to meet the creature face-to-face.
  • Why this book is challenging: It features witty, clever language and a plot that requires understanding of strategy and foresight.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages strategic thinking and creativity in problem-solving.
  • Perfect for: Clever youngsters who enjoy a good plot twist and learning about outsmarting bigger challenges.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to encourage your 3-year-old to develop good reading habits, you've come to the right place. Below, you'll find a list of fun and engaging exercises designed specifically for little ones. These activities not only make reading enjoyable but also lay the foundation for lifelong reading skills.

• Read Together Daily
  • What it is: Set aside time each day to read a book with your child.
  • How it helps: This reinforces the habit of reading and improves listening skills.
  • Tips: Let your child pick the book sometimes to increase their interest.

• Picture Walk
  • What it is: Flip through a book, looking at and talking about the pictures before reading the text.
  • How it helps: Enhances prediction skills and helps the child to connect images with words.
  • Tips: Ask open-ended questions about the pictures to encourage your child’s imagination.

• Storytelling Swap
  • What it is: Take turns telling parts of the story.
  • How it helps: Improves memory and comprehension, and makes reading an interactive experience.
  • Tips: Use funny voices and facial expressions to make the storytelling more engaging.

• Rhyme Time
  • What it is: Read books with rhymes or make up rhymes and songs about the story.
  • How it helps: Develops phonemic awareness which is crucial for learning to read.
  • Tips: Clap along to the rhythm to make it more fun and to emphasize the sounds.

• Character Play
  • What it is: Dress up and act out scenes from the book.
  • How it helps: Helps with understanding character actions and emotions.
  • Tips: Use simple props or costumes to make the play more exciting.

• Book-Based Crafts
  • What it is: Create art projects based on the theme or characters of the book.
  • How it helps: Enhances comprehension and makes the connection between the story and real life.
  • Tips: Keep craft materials simple and safe for small hands.

• Interactive Reading Apps
  • What it is: Use educational apps that allow children to interact with stories.
  • How it helps: Integrates technology with reading and can improve engagement.
  • Tips: Choose apps that are age-appropriate and free from distracting advertisements.

Incorporating these exercises into your daily routine will not only make reading time special but also instill a love of books in your young child. Remember, the goal is to make reading fun and engaging, so feel free to adapt these ideas to suit your child’s interests and developmental stage. Happy reading!